A ROCK band drummer has been forced to drop out of their UK tour after suffering a mystery illness.

Prior to a show at the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, Bowling For Soup frontman Jaret Reddick announced drummer Gary Wiseman had flown to the US to be with his family.

The singer said Mr Wiseman was due to get treatment from his physician after a “very emotional and scary” week.

The Argus: Bowling For Soup drummer Gary Wiseman Bowling For Soup drummer Gary Wiseman

The American band, who formed in Texas in 1994, are touring the UK until May 30 following the release of their 11th album Pop Drunk Snot Bread.

They were set to perform at the De La Warr Pavilion on Thursday, April 21.

After Mr Wisemen’s premature departure, Mr Reddick and Rob Felicetti performed an acoustic set.

In a statement released before the show, Mr Reddick said the team initially thought Mr Wisemen had suffered a “severe panic attack”.

He was seen by medics on site before going to hospital.

“Nine hours later, he saw a doctor and they found nothing to be wrong. A heart attack was ruled out and blood work looked fine,” Mr Reddick said.

“Gary spent that day, an off day, in a hotel room not being able to sleep, eat or quench his thirst.

“It has been a very emotional and scary time for all of us. We are family. We are brothers. And that comes first.

“As I type this, Gary and our tour manager, Dave, are on a plane home. We are planning a show for tonight and tomorrow that people will not soon forget.

“Everyone will leave happy. We will do this all for Gary.”

The outfit, contemporaries of bands such as Blink-182 and Sum 41, are best known for their singles Girl All The Bad Guys Want, Almost and High School Never Ends.

They are also known for performing the introduction to the Disney show Phineas And Ferb and the vocal theme for the video game Sonic Unleashed.